China accuses Japan of reviving militarism amid growing Taiwan tension

Wednesday 17 December 2025 - 08:20

By: Dakir Madiha

China accuses Japan of reviving militarism amid growing Taiwan tension

China has urged the international community to counter what it describes as Japan’s “revival of militarism,” warning that Tokyo’s recent remarks and defense posture threaten regional stability. The call came after Japanese officials suggested that a conflict over Taiwan could directly endanger Japan’s security, deepening tensions between the two Asian powers.

Diplomatic dispute over Taiwan

The dispute began when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated before parliament that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could create a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan, legitimizing its right to collective self-defense. Beijing denounced the comments as interference in its internal affairs and a direct challenge to the “one-China” principle.

In response, China intensified diplomatic and economic pressure on Tokyo. Authorities advised Chinese tourists to avoid Japan, suspended the import of Japanese seafood, and postponed bilateral cultural exchanges. Chinese state media reported that over 1,900 flights between mainland China and Japan were canceled in December, representing about 40 percent of the total.

Divergent positions and diplomatic strain

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi attempted to ease tensions by reiterating Tokyo’s respect for the one-China policy based on the 1972 Joint Communique. However, Beijing dismissed the clarification, accusing Japan of omitting crucial language that recognized Taiwan as “an inalienable part” of China.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun condemned Japan’s stance, calling it “a distortion of facts” and urging all “peace-loving nations” to oppose any attempt to restore Japan’s pre-World War II militarist legacy.

Broader regional consequences

Amid these tensions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi toured the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, where officials from all three nations reaffirmed their adherence to the one-China principle. The diplomatic effort underscored Beijing’s strategy to gather international backing as Tokyo moves to expand its defense capabilities.

Japan is preparing a record defense budget of approximately 9 trillion yen (around 58 billion US dollars) for fiscal year 2026, allocating funds for new long-range missiles and advanced drones. Analysts say these developments mark a critical moment in East Asia’s shifting security architecture, as the region’s two largest economies face increasingly diverging strategic priorities.